A Contemplation of Cats Blanket

A Contemplation of Cats Blanket by Auburncraft Crochet Design

Project Overview

The A Contemplation of Cats Blanket is a downloadable crochet pattern designed by Sue Stapleton of Auburncraft Crochet Design. This intermediate-level project creates a beautiful throw blanket inspired by the contemplative nature of cats, drawing from T.S. Eliot's famous poem about feline meditation. The pattern is available in two sizes to suit different preferences and space requirements.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a finished crochet blanket or throw suitable for home décor. The design comes in two size options: a smaller version and a larger version, allowing crafters to choose based on their intended use and available yarn quantities. Both versions create a cohesive, finished blanket suitable for draping over furniture or displaying as a decorative textile piece.

Yarn and Materials

Yarn Weight: DK weight (8 ply) yarn is used throughout this project, providing a lightweight yet substantial fabric ideal for blankets and throws.

Yarn Specifications:

• Small Version: 2 balls of Bendigo Woollen Mill Cotton 8 Ply DK in Peach, approximately 950 meters (1038 yards) total if gauge is met
• Large Version: 5 balls of Bendigo Woollen Mill Cotton 8 Ply DK in Peach, approximately 2425 meters (2652 yards) total

The pattern specifies Bendigo Woollen Mill cotton yarn, which offers a natural fiber option with excellent drape and breathability. Yarn quantities may vary depending on whether the specified gauge is achieved during the project.

Tools and Notions

• 3.5mm/E crochet hook
• Tapestry needle for weaving in ends
• Stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats
• Scissors for cutting yarn

Crochet Techniques and Stitches

This intermediate-level blanket pattern employs fundamental crochet techniques suitable for crafters with basic to moderate experience. The pattern uses US crochet terminology throughout, ensuring clarity for American crocheters.

While specific stitch names are not detailed in the provided pattern materials, intermediate blanket patterns typically incorporate a combination of basic stitches such as single crochet, half double crochet, double crochet, and treble crochet. These stitches are often arranged in repeating sequences to create texture, visual interest, and the finished blanket structure. Stitch markers are called for in the pattern, indicating that tracking specific stitches or pattern repeats is essential to maintaining proper shaping and design throughout the project.

Difficulty Level

Rated as an intermediate project, this blanket is designed for crocheters who have mastered foundational techniques and are ready to work with pattern repeats and more complex stitch combinations. Intermediate crafters should be comfortable reading pattern instructions, maintaining consistent tension, and managing multiple stitches across rows or rounds.

Design Inspiration

The blanket draws its name and thematic inspiration from T.S. Eliot's poetic meditation on cats and their mysterious nature, specifically the concept of a cat's "ineffable" and singular name. This literary reference adds a whimsical, thoughtful dimension to the finished textile, making it an appealing project for cat lovers and poetry enthusiasts alike.